Val Chmerkovskiy is not a fan of “Next Pro” contestant AJ Pritchard.
The “Dancing with the Stars” pro slammed Pritchard for the “arrogance” he displayed backstage throughout this week’s episode of “Next Pro,” particularly with partner Serena Hamilton.
Calling it a “major setback,” he told co-host Daniel Fishel on Tuesday’s episode of the Stepping on Toes podcast, “His sacrifice makes for good television. I wish he could have distilled that arrogance into a softer presentation.”
In episode two, Pritchard and Hamilton performed a jive routine inspired by their win at the 2015 British Open Dance Championships, which Chmerkovskiy described as “the Wimbledon of dance.”
“We all have a pedigree. We’ve all won something,” the three-time “DWTS” champion, 40, continued on the podcast. “You have to be humble in the sense that if you are going to compete, you have to prove yourself now.
“I appreciate that he is a good competitive dancer and that he already has experience in this work, which he has done,” Chmerkovskiy continued, noting that Pritchard was a professional performer on Strictly Come Dancing from 2016 to 2019.
“There’s a reason why you’re here and you don’t have a job there anymore. So to be here, you have to keep living in the moment. Don’t live in the past,” Chmerkovskiy added, explaining that he wants Pritchard to focus on the current competition and get rid of his overconfidence.
The “DWTS” pro further noted that Pritchard, 31, using his legs to push Hamilton’s hips back and correct her was a “huge turnoff.”
“You can’t attract people unless you’re interested in that kind of thing,” he continued, adding that viewers and judges won’t appreciate it if he continues to act like this.
Although Chmerkovskiy is not a judge on “Next Pro,” he has been a professional on “DWTS” for 20 seasons.
Since starting his run in Season 13 of 2011, he has taken home the Mirrorball Trophy three times with partners Rumer Willis, Laurie Hernandez and Xochitl Gomez.
In the most recent season 34, he and contestant Alix Earle took second place, with Robert Irwin and Whitney Carson taking first place.
The winner of “Next Pro” will earn the right to compete professionally on “DWTS” Season 35.
“Next Pro” airs Monday nights at 8pm ET on ABC.
